Bat stretching machine or the like



Aug. 27, 1935. J, T, LEE

BAT STRETCHING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 26, 1934 4 Sheets- Sheet 1.

INVENTOR J BY ATTORNEYS Aug, 27, 1.935.

J. T. LEE

BAT STRETCHING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Fil ed Jan. 26, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Au 27, 1935. .1. T. LEE 2,012,882

BAT STRETGHING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 26, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 7 INVENI'T'OR TTORNEYS j J Jsepfu Z ee- BY M M 1935. J. T. LEE 2,012,882

BAT STRETCHING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 26, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORY Jose 72 1 lee ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 27, 1935 BAT STRETCHING MACHINE on A LIKE" r- THE 30, Claims. (01, 223- 15) This invention relates to a bat stretching machine or the like.

One of the objects of this invention'is to provide a bat stretching machine which will be simple and practical in operation. Another object is to provide a machine of the above character which may be economically manufactured with aminimum amount of labor. ject is to provide a machine of the above character which will be rapid and effective in operation. Another object istoprovide a machine'of the above character which will materially reduce the number of steps necessary to bring a bat down to proper size and thus be an effective factor in the reduction of labor costs." Another object is to provide a'machine which will perform this bat stretching function practicallywithout subjectingtheoperator tolbodily injury, Another object is to provide a machine of the above character whose standards of operation may be changed at willand which will produce bats of standard proportions. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, andarra'ngements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims. v 7

In the accompanying drawings, inwhich is shown one of the various possible embodimentsof my invention, r w

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my machine ready for operation, certain of the parts thereof being broken away; v Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of my machine taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevational View of my machine taken on the other side from that shown in Figure 1, certain of the parts thereof being broken away; a r 1 Figure 4 is a top plan view of my machine with the cone shaped supporting part broken away; Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 55 of Figure 2, and

Figure 6 is an elevational view of the bat supp0rtng part of my machine. A I v 7 Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout .the several views of the draw ll'lgS.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a table generally indicated at lfi'supported'by suitable legs generally indicated at H, thus forming a framework for my machine. Legs I I are joined in any suitable manner by sections I 2 (Figure 2) Another obupon which is mounted aisuitable supporting piecelilti i y j l i As more clearly shown. in- Figurew-Z, there is provided an opening 14 in supporting piece l3,- a sleeve-like member 15 extends therethrough and is bolted or otherwise secured to piece l3, Legs II arealso joined by a pairofsupportingsections. I G-and .llupon which a plate 18 is mounted and' secured Table lll'has a large substantially circular'opening [9 formed therein andplate l8 has upstanding therefrom three sleeve-like bearing members l, 8 and 9 which maybe secured thereto or integrally formed therewith in any suitable manner.., I I

A vertically disposedbar 2 l is slidably mounted in sleeve-like'member i5 and bearing 8'to extendv above table II), sleeve-likememben l5i a'nd bear-Q ing ,8 being preferably packedfto' provide a suit-Y able bearing surface for the vertical movement of bar 2%. Abatsupporting part geherallyindicatedat ZZ (Figure 6)is secured to-the upper end of bar 21 in any suitable manner Part lz as'lbest shcwn in Figure 6, is preferably cone shaped with a rounded upper portion. {Ifhe lower section of par't 22 has formed therein a plurality of longitudinallydisposed slots generally "indicated at 23- for purposes to be more fully described hereinafter. 1 l T v 'j f L A shaft. (Fig'ure. 2)liis journaledjin ap'airof uprights 25 and'ZB preferably bolted tofsuppo'rting piece 13L] Rig-idly secured to shaftlglby way of a collar portion 21 is a lever arm'ZB Asbetftershown in Figural arm 28 extends upwardly a substantial distance above table 1 0 so that it'rnay be easily grasped by the operatorjof the machine when in a standing-position. Arrod 29115 slidably mounted in theupper portion of arm'28arid has. secured thereto albutton. 30 so that itimay bedepressed downwardly against suitable spring 3| disposed within the handle 32 dfithe arm. Se-

cured tQt-hel erTendof rodm29 is a' cam piece 33,' as better shownin" Figure 2,,and a. ratchet part generallyindicated. at 3 4 isjsecured to plateflB I andextends upwardly along s a to and/Substantially adj e path of travel of arm128. i 4

A slot asi ;p tviaed;i racneteta aal tb .whichncam piece 33 extends'fso that'spring 3] (Figure 1) forces the cam piece against the upper surface thereof. The upper surface of'sl'ot 35 'is face of slot 35 and'ratchetteeth 36,jand,;lupon' a r r provided withga series of ratchet teeth generally engagement with the ratchet teeth, movement of arm 28 in a counter-clockwise direction is prevented until pressure is applied to button 30 to release cam 33 from the teeth. I'also prefer to provide a suitable stop 31 slidably mounted on' ratchet part 34 into which is threaded a screw part 38 capable of engaging any one of a series of indentations generally indicated at 39 on ratchet. part 34. Accordingly the movement of arm 28 in a clockwise direction (Figure 1) is limited by stop 31 and may be predetermined by the positioning of the stop. I I

A pair of lever members 40 (Figure 1) and 4| (Figure 4) are rigidly connected to shaft 24 to swing therewith. As better shown in Figure 4, I prefer to connect the outer ends of lever parts 40 and 4| with a pin 42. Rotatably mounted upon pin 42 is a link member generally indicated at 43 having its opposite sides pivotally con nected to a collar member 44 (Figures 1 and 2) by way of a pin 45. Collar 44 is rigidly connected tobar 2| preferably by way of screws 46 (Figure 1).. Accordingly movement of arm 28 in' a clockwise direction (Figure l) imparts similar movement of lever parts 40and 4| to move part-43 as well as bar 2| in an upward direction. Further- 'more the upward movementof bar 2| as well as bat supporting part 22 may bepredetermined by positioning stop 31 on ratchet part 34, all as described'above. p i

Referring now to Figures 2 and 4, a plurality of bracket-like members generally indicated at 41 are suitably secured to table l0 preferably by way of boltsgenerally indicated at '48. Bracket members 41 are disposed about table It in substantially circular fashion as shown in Figure 4. Each bracket member has pivotally connected thereto'a finger member generally indicated at 49.

Thus finger members'49' are free to'pi'vottoward. .and'away from part 22 in substantially radial finger parts generally-indicatedat 53,arepivoted.-

Finger parts 53 havea pinching surface 54 adjacent pinchings'urface 52 .of the finger members. Accordingly finger parts 53 may be pivoted about their axes-on the finger members to bring the pinching surfaces 52 and 54 into engagement, ali as will be more fully described hereinafter.

[Turning nowto Figure 2; therei's shown a part generally indicated at 55 positioned beneath table I!) and having two depending arms 56 and 51 extending throughv plate l8 and. preferablyguided by a pairo'f bracket-like parts58 and 59.}respectively secured to supporting part I3. Thus arms 56 and 51;are spaced from, supporting part l3 and in fact part 55 is suspended in this position in a manner ,.to..-bedescribed hereinafter, the

upperportion Blifof. part 55 (Figureb) extending about bearings land 9 but being preferablyoutof engagement therewith. T I

e i A plurality of studs generally'indicated; at 6| arev secured topart 55 preferably by way ofbolts '62 (Figure 2),;ai1d a pluralityof links generally indicated at 63. form a pivotal connection between these studs and .the inner ends of finger part 53. Thus'downward movement of part 55,

' pinching surfaces 52 and 54 engage.

as viewed in Figure 2, causes finger parts 53 to pivot abouttheir axes on finger members 49 until Upward movement of part 55 of course causes the reverse or spreading action of the fingers.

Still referring to Figure '2, a pair of bars 54 and B5 are .slidably mounted within bearing members l and 9 to extend above table It. Secured to bars 64 and 65 above table 19 in any suitable manner is a ring part 66 having its upper peripheral edge in engagement with the cam surfaces 5| of finger members 49. I also prefer to provide a suitable spring 61 (Figures 2 and 4) embracing finger members 49 to force cam surfaces 5| thereof against ring part 65. Thus cam surfaces 5| are in continuous engagement with ring part 66,

and, due to their oblique surfaces, any movement of the ring part in an upward direction causes finger members 49 to spread outwardly in radial directions carrying with them finger parts 53. Conversely, a downward movement of ring part 66 allows spring 6! to contact to pivot finger members 49 about their axes in an inward radial direction or substantially toward each other. Accordingly if the correct vertical movement" is transmitted toring p'art G5 and part 55 respectively, members 49 and finger parts 53 may be made to clamp the brim of a bat and then move outwardly to stretch it, all as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 4, a bracket piece generally indicated at 58 is suitably secured to one corner of table l5." A-lever arm 59 is supported between two upright sections 19 of bracket piece 68 and is pivotally connected 1 thereto by way of a shaft II. On one end of lever 69 isza sleeve-like-portion 69a thereof Within which is mounted a stud shaft 12. Rotatably mounted upon stud shaft 12 is a crank arm generally indicated at 13. Crank arm 13 comprises two spaced sections 14 and lilconnected by a shaft 16. A boss l1 extends from section 15 and is in registry with sleeve-like portion 69a and shaft 12 extends therein. Accordingly crank arm 13 including its sections 14 and i5 is free to pivot about shaft 12 as an axis. Crank arm 73 is provided with'a suitable handle 18 so that it may be easily swung about the axis of shaft '52.

Shaft 16, as more clearly shown in Figure" 1,

is eccentrically disposed with respect to shaft 12, and rotatably mounted thereon between sections 74 and 15 (Figure 4) is a connecting: head 79.

:Journaled within supporting sections I6 and H shortening of this distance.

A pair of nuts 85 and iii are threaded on bar 85 to lock the bar in any predetermined position against further rotation until desired. Extending inwardly from section 74 of crank arm '53 are a pair of stops 88 and 89 (Figures 3. and 4). Thus rotation of crank arm H3 in a clockwise direction is finally prevented by the engagement of stop 88 with connecting head "59 while rotation of the crank arm in the opposite direction finally prevented by the engagement of stop 89 with the connecting head.

= wardly due to the eccentric position of shaft 16 A pairof links 98 and 91 (Figures'l' and 2) are rigidly connected to shaft 86 and pivotally connected to a pair of bolts 92,and 93 (Figure 2) threaded into arms 55"and 5T." Accordinglyit will now become clear that upward-mvement of barj85 causes shaft 86 to rotate in a. counter i clockwise direction (Figure 1), which movement, by way of links and Sifis' converted into a downward movement of'part 55. And conversely, movement of bar 85 in a downward direction causes part 53 to move upwardly. As described above, thedcwnward movement of part 55fcau'ses finger parts 53 to move into their cl'amping position while upwardmovement of this part makes for the spreading action of the fingers. Furthermore links 9i and (it? hold part 55in a" suspended position-beneath table it for arms 56 and are spacedirom supporting "section .13.- Thuspart 55 is free to move in eithervertical direction. It"

will also be clear that vertical movement; of bar 85 may be accomplished in one-"of twoways. Thus if crankarm 73 is pivoted in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1, until 'stop 89 engages connecting head'lfi, bar 85 is moved upwith'respect to shaft '52. On'the other hand;bar

85 may be moved upwardly or downwardly as lever arm 59 pivots about shaft H (Figure 4) A shaft 94 is journaled within supporting sec- 7 tions iii and ll, as best shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, and a lever 95' (Figure 3) is rigidly connected thereto by way of a set screw 95. Disposed within lever 95 is a rod Slsubstantially similar in constructionand position to red 29 of lever 28 (Figure l) thus being provided with abutton 98 extending from the handle 9% of the lever arm. Suitably disposed within handle (leis a spring I00 capable of forcing button 98 as well as red 9! in construction and operation to stop 3?! (Figure 1).

Thus ratchet part 3533 is provided with a series of indentations generally indicated at 05, and'a set screw m6 (Figure 2) is threadedinto the stop to e age any of the indentations. In this mannor the distance which lever=95 may move in a clockwise direction (Figure 3) can be readily predetermined. To move the lever, button :98 is pressed downwardly (Figure l) to release pawl 7 H2! (Figure 3) from ratchetteeth H32. thence to be moved against stop m4, and; upon release of the pressure applied to the button, the lever is held in position against the stop by theengage ment of pawl iii! with one of teeth 192. Turning now to Figure 2, I haveflprovided a pair of links ml and N38 rigidly'connected to shaft 94 and in turnconnected by bolts i 09 and [0 to a pair of supporting parts I l l and i 12. Mounted within supporting parts i i l and H2 is a member H3 into which. bars 6 and-(ili extend. Member I i 3 is rigidly connected to bars 64 and liii preferably by way of a pair of set screws IM and H5. It will now' become clear thattlie' movement of lever 95 against stop m4,"as"described"above, rotates shaft 94 in a clockwise direction', 'asviewed in Figure 3, thus causing links "Hill and lilil to move upwardly and force bars-64' and. 65 in an upward direction as viewed in Figure 2. The upward movement of bars (34 and 65, as described above, pivots finger members 49in anloutward direction due to'the engagement'of ring part 66 with the cam surfaces 5l-ofthefingers' Referring 'now' to Figure 1,- a link 1 i5 is rigidly connected to shaft 9.4 preferably byway of a set screw 'I ll. Link H6 and the left hand end of lever member 69, as viewed in Figure 1, are connected by a link H3. The movement of lever 95 against stop I04 (Figure 3) causes rotation of shaft 94in a counter-clockwise direction; asviewed in Figure 1, consequently to force link) H8 up- Wardly by way offlink 'l (6; but crank arm 13 (Figure 1) is supported by lever 69 and conse: quently the upward movement of link i l8 causes lever 69 to'move bar 85 downwardly." The downward. movement'of bar 85 moves part'fiii' upwardly thus pivoting finger parts 53 (Figure 2) in an outward directionm In the actual manufacture of hatsga machine such as this is generally used over a period of time to stretchi alarge numberof batsito one particular size. Accordingly the positions s of stopsS'l and IM "on ratchetparts 34 and 103 are first determined and, the stops set in those positions some; finger members 49 move out-1 Wardly and part' 22 moves upwardly distances amount, i, l i t To operate themachine, a' bat is slipped over part '22 --;(Figu're" 2): so l'that :itsbrim portion rests upon pinching surfaces 52 and of finger :membars 49 and finger parts 53 respectively. Next the operator grasps handle 18 (Figure 4) of crank 25: i just sufiicient to'stretch the bat the required arm 13 andpulls it toward him ina clockwise di- T re'ction as viewed in Figure 1 until stop 89. abuts against connecting head 19. As described; more fully above, themovernentof crank arm 13: moves rod 85 upwardly to force part' 55 in a downward direction (Figure 2). i t

The downward movement of part '55 forces fingerparts 53 to move-against the bat so that it is pinched tightly against finger members 49 and move the finge'r rnembers outwardly in-iadial- -directions against'the action of spring (51. vAs

finger members 49 'move outwardlyithe brim portion of the bat, which is held thereon byfinger parts-53 as described above, is stretched outwardly in all-radial directions.

7 Although finger parts53 are carried by finger membersjfi (Figure 2), links'63 connect them with part 55. Therefore if part .55 remained stationary during the outward movement of finthus: held against displacementtherefrom; The

ger fmembe rs 49, the relative movement of the finger, parts with respect 'tojfingen members 49 caused thereby might release thebrim" ofithebat against stop" 34, it "not only forces ring part (it against the finger "members' 49 to move them outwardly but also forces link I I8 (Figurefl) upwardly, and, as more fully described above thus causes bar 85 to "mov downwarmy; Thedown 'wardfimovemen't of bar 85 moves part 55 (Figure 2) upwardly by way: of connecting links 9d and19l.- Lever;arm- 69 .(Figure l) is so proper; tioned and positioned that by way of bar and linksand 9t it moves part 55 upwardlyjus't theright amount to maintain finger parts53 (Figure 2) clamped-'againstfinger'members 49 while .the finger members are moving outwardly under theimpetusi'of ring part6? ahd -invfact r 60 I However, when leverpait '(Figuref3) is moved when they reach their outermost .radial position. Thus in effect lever part6!) (Figure 1) which may control theposition of part 55 (Figure 2) is sympathetic to the movement of finger members 49 in either direction. The brim portion of .the bat has now been stretchedthe required amount.

Nextturning to Figure 1, lever'28 is moved against stop 31 thus movingilever parts Wand 4| upwardly as described morefully above. This action moves bar 2| upwardly to force part 22 against the crown portion of the bat. Consequently when'lever 28 reaches {stop 31, the brim portion of the bat has-beenstretched the required amount. Preferablyat this point the en-e tire bat as itis stretched is doused with a plentiful-supply of fairly .hot water, some of this water which leaks through the batmay drain downwardly through. slots '23 in part 22 (Figand force the finger members 49 into their. in-

ner position. Crank arm 13 may now be grasped by the handle and'turnedsabout. ina' counterclockwise direction .until stop 88 abuts "against connecting head 19. The return of crank arm 13 to its neutral position orythat' position shown in Figure 1, moves bar 85' downwardly and part I 55 (Figure 2) upwardly to move the pinching similar to that mentionedabove. It will be unhat ,body which has been suitably fo-rmed' from a bat and sized.so that it-is sufficiently durable and possesses sufiicient tensile strength to withstand. adequately the stretching operation Performed by my machine. v x

' It will thus beseen that-I have provided a thoroughly practical and efficient machine in which the several objects hereinabove'referred to as well as many others have been successfully carriedout. I M As many. possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as fmany changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to, be understood that all matter'hereinbefore set forth'orshown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

.Iclaimz 5 1. In hat machinery, in combination, supporting, means, a series of pairs of clamping fingers arranged on said supporting means, means for moving one finger of each of said pairs toward'the other finger of each of said pairs to clampthe brim portion of 'a bat, and means for moving said pairs of fingers outwardly in radial directions to stretch said brim portion, saidsecond-mentioned means having an operative. connection with said last-mentioned. means to maintain said fingers in clamped relation as said pairs move outwardly.

2. In hat machinery, in combination, supportarranged on said supporting means,'means for moving one finger of each of said pairs toward the other finger of each of said pairs to clamp the brimportion of a bat, means for moving said pairs of fingers outwardly in radial directions to stretch said brim portion, said second-mentioned means being operatively connected to said lastmentioned means to maintain a substantially constant'clamped relation between the fingers of each of said pairs as said pairs move outwardly, and means adapted to extend into the bat to stretch the crown portion thereof.

3. In hat machinery, in combination, supporting means, a, plurality of finger members pivotally mounted on said supporting means in substantially circular fashion, a supporting part, a plurality of finger parts pivotally connected to said finger members, means connecting said finger parts to said supporting part, means adapted to move saidsupporting part to bring said finger parts and said finger members into clamping relation, means for pivoting said finger members to move said finger members and said finger parts outwardly in radial directions, and means forming an operative connection between said last-mentioned'means and said third-mentioned means to maintain a substantially constant relationshipbetween said finger members andsaid flngerparts as they pivot outwardly.

4. In hat machinery, in combination, support-' ing means, a plurality of finger members pivotally-mountedon saidsupporting means in substantially circular fashion, a supporting part, a plurality of fingerparts pivotally connected to said finger members, means connecting said finger parts to said supporting part, means adapted to move said supporting part to bring said finger parts and said finger members into clamping relation to clamp the brim of a bat, and means for pivoting said finger members to move said finger-members and said finger parts outwardly in radialdirections to stretch the brim of said bat, said last two rnentionedmeans including a mechanical connection'whereby. they coact to maintain said finger members and said finger parts in clamped relation as said last-mentioned means acts to pivot said finger members, means adapted to extend into the bat to stretch the crown portion thereof, means for predetermining the'stretching movement of said last-mentioned means, and means. for predetermining the outwardly pivotal movement of said finger members.

5; In hat machinery, in combination, supporting means, a plurality of finger members pivotally mounted on said supporting means in sub-' stantially circular fashion, a supporting part, a plurality of finger parts'pivotally connected to said finger members, means connecting said finger parts to said supporting part, means adapted to cause relative movement between said supporting part and said supporting means to bring said finger parts into clamped relationship with said finger members, means adapted to pivot said finger members outwardly in radial directions, and means forming amechanical connection between saidtwo last-mentioned means adapted to move saidsupporting part toward said supporting means as said last-mentioned means operates a distance suflicient to maintain said finger parts and said finger members in clamped relation as said finger members pivot outwardly.

.uDwardl-yin rfisponseto the actuationoi said first I 6. In hat machineiygin combination, supporting means, a plurality of finger memberspivotally mounted on said supporting means in substantially circular fashion, a supporting part;

a plurality of finger partspivotally connected to" said, finger members, means connecting said finger parts to said supporting part, means adapted to movesaid supportingfpart away from said supporting means to bring saidfinger. parts into clamped relationship with said finger members,

means adapted to pivot said finger members cut 7. Inhat machinery, mcombination, supporting means, a plurality of, finger, member's pivotally mounted on said supporting means insubstantially circular fashion, a supporting part, a plurality of finger'parts pivotallyconnected to said finger members", means connecting said finger parts to said supporting part, meansadapted to movesaid supporting part away from'said supporting means t o bring said fingeriparts into clamped relationship/withsaid finger members,

means adapted topivot said finger members outwardly in radial directions after said finger parts and said finger members assume their clamped relationship means forming a mechanical 'connection between said twolast-mentioned means adapted to move said supporting part toward said supporting means as said last-mentioned means operates a distance sufficient to' maintain said finger parts and saidfingermembers inclamped relation as said fingermembers' pivot outwardly, and means for predetermining the pivotal movement of said finger members.

In hat'machine'ry'in combination, supportmeans, a plurality of finger members pivotally connected't'o' said supportingjmeans, means associated. with-each of said finger me'mbers adapted to secure the brim portion of ahat thereto, said finger members eachhaving a cam sur face, a yoke'member in engagementv with said cam surfaces and capable of vertical movement ito impart pivotal movement tosaid finger member's a lever connected'to said supporting means, ,and means connecting said yoke to oneend'ofsaid lever whereby movement of said lever in one di: rection forces said yoke against said cam surfaces to pivot saidfinger members in an outward radial direction 9. In hat machinery, in combination, support- ;ing -means, a plurality of, finger members ,con-

nected to said" supporting means, a plurality of finger parts, a table member connectedto said finger parts, said table member adapted to move,

.said fingerpartstoward said finger members upon downward movement, means adapted to move said finger members outwardly, in radial directions- ;upon upward movement, lever; means connected to said last-mentioned -means, lever means connected to said table member and means dorm-- ing a connection between both of said lever means toympve said table memberin'an upward direction when said second-mentioned means noves mentioned lever means. u

10. In, hat machinery, I porting, means, a pluralityjof pairs of finger members connected to said supporting means, an acin combination, suptuating part adapted to move said pairs of fingers outwardly, an actuating member adaptedtoq move said finger members into clamping rela; tionship, lever means associ'ated with said actuating part, lever,meansgassociated with said ac tuating member, and means forming a connection between both of said lever means wherebyfs'aid actuating member is moved a' distance sufiicient to maintain said finger members in clamped relationship when said actuatingpart moves.

11. In hat machinery, in I combination, sup? porting means, a plurality ofj pairs of finger members connected' to said supporting means, the finger members of each of said pairs'being pivotally related, an actuating part adapted to move said pairsof fingers outwardly, an actuating member adapted to movesaid finger members into a clamping relationship, lever means associated with said actuating part, lever means associated with said actuating member, means forming a connection betweenboth of said lever' means,

whereby said actuatingjmember is mov'ed a dis:

tance sufiicient to maintain saidfinger members inclamped relationshinwhen said actuating part moves, said ,finger,,members being adapted} to.

clamp and stretch the brir'nportion of a hat, and means for 'stretchingthelciown portioniof said bat,

porting. means, finger members pivotally connected to said supporting means, a part, means connectingfinger members to said part, the movement of said part'in one direction causing said finger members to. move towards a clampingpo 'sition, a lever connected to said supporting means and adaptedto impart vertical movement to sai'd part, whereby upon an upwardmovement of said part by said lever said finger members will move outwardly with respect to said part, saidfinger members being adapted to clasp the brim portion of abat, means for'stretching the crown portion 1 of said bat, mea ns'for predetermining theex'tent to' which saidcrown portion is to be stretched, and means'for ,predetermining the extent"; of the outward movement of said fingers.

' 13. In hat machinery, in combination, asupport, a plurality of clamps connected to said support, said clamps being adapted to clasp the brim of'a batf ac'tuating part adapted to move said clamps outwardly, an actuating member adapted .to effectuate a clamped relationship between said,

clamps and said bat, lever means associated with said actuating part','lever means associatedwith said-actuating member, link means-formingacdnnection between both ofsaid lever' meanawheref byIsaid actuating member is sufficiently movedto maintain said clamped relationship"when ,s actuatingpart moves, and means: for predet r'-,'

mining the extent of the outward m'ovementof saidolamps.

I; 14, In hat machinery, in combination, pm; 'rality. of clamping members each having-a pair 12. In hat m'achihryfi combination, sup

of pivotally related jaws'adapted to grasp thebrirn of a ,bat, means for V. piyotall supporting said claniping' members, said means includingffa st'a tionjaryimember anda movable member, lever jmeansQIQr moving said lastementionedfmember t l tofbring said jaws into clamped rlationshipg a part adapted "to; move said 1 clamping members outwardly to stretch the. brim ofsaidjbat, lever tioned means to effect a relative movementtherebetween upon operation of said second-mentioned meansassociated with said part, and means form-- ing a connection betweenboth of said lever means whereby the clamped relationship of said jaws is maintained as said clamping members are moved by saidpart. j 'f I 15. Inv hat machinery, in combination, a plurality of clamping members each having a pair of pivotally related jaws adapted to grasp the brim of a bat, a stationary'supporting member, a

movable supportingmember, said clamping members being pivotally related to both of said supporting members, a lever for actuating said movvable supporting member whereby said jaws are pivoted into clamped relationship, a part having a driving connection with one of each of said pairs of jaws and movable to force said clamping members outwardly to stretch the brim of said bat, a lever for moving said part, and link means connecting both of said levers whereby, upon operation of said last-mentioned member to move said clamping members outwardly, a relative movement is imparted to said movable supporting member to maintain the clamped-relationship of saidjaws. Y a

' 16. In hat machinery, in combination, 'supporting means, a plurality of clamp jawspivotally connected tosaid supporting'means, an actuating part, a second plurality of jaws pivotally related to said first plurality of jaws, a plurality of link members connecting said second plurality of jaws with said actuating part, lever meansassociated with said actuating part and adapted to move said jaws to clasp the brim of a bat;,an

actuating member operable to move said jaws outwardly to stretch the brim oi' said bat, lever means, for imparting movement to said actuating member, and'meansforming a connection between both of said lever. means-whereby, the

clampedrelationship of said jaws is'maintained as said jaws move outwardly.

; 17. In hat machinery, in combination, supporting means, a plurality of pairs of clamp jaws connected to ,said' supportingmeans one of each of said pairsof jaws having a cam surface, means for bringing said jaws into clamped relationship ingsaid first-mentioned and said second-men- .tioned means to-effect a relative movement therebetween upon operation of said second-mentioned '-means whereby the clamped relationship ofjsaid jaws is maintained as said clamps move outj wardly.

19. In hat-machinery, in combination, supporting means, aplurality'of pairs of clamp jaws connected to said supporting, means, one of each of said pairs of jaws having a cam surface, means forjbringingsaid'jawsinto clamped relationship I to clasp the brim of a bat, means operating ,on said cam suriace to force said clamps outwardly to stretch the'brimbf said bat, link means connecting said I first-mantioned and said 'second mem means'whe'reby the clamped, relationship of said iaws is maintained as said clamps move outwardmam ly, and link means connecting said clamp operating means and said cam.

20. In hat machinery, in combination, a ver tically movable bat support, a plurality of clamp members disposed radially of said bat support and pivotable away therefrom, said clamp members being adapted to clasp the brim of a bat mounted on said support, means for bringing the jaws of said clamp members into clamped relationship, means for pivoting said clamp members out- 'wardly to stretch the 'brimjof said bat, means connecting said first-mentioned and said secondmentioned means to maintain the clamped relationship of the jaws of said clamp members as said clamp mcmbers'move outwardly, and means for'moving said bat support vertically to stretch the crown portion of said'bat.

21., In hat machinery, in combination, a vertically movablebat support, a plurality of clamp members disposed radially of said bat support and pivotable away therefrom, said clamp members being adapted to clasp the brim of a bat mounted on said support, means for bringing the jaws of said' 'c'lamp members into clamped relationship, means for pivoting said clamp members outwardly to stretch the brim of said bat, means connecting said first-mentioned and said secondmentioned means to maintain the-clamped relationship of the jaws of said clamp members as said clamp members move outwardly, means for moving said batsupport vertically to stretch the crown portion of said bat, means for predetermining the amount to which said brim is to be stretched, and means for predeterminingthe amount'to which said crown portion is to be stretched.

22. In hat machinery, in combination, supporting means, a plurality of clamps pivotally connected to said supporting means, said means including an actuating part adapted to movethe jaws of said clamps into clamped relationship, means for moving said clamps outwardly, and linkmeans forming a connection between said actuating part and said second-mentionedmeans whereby the clamped relationship of said jaws is'maintained' asv said clamps move outwardly, said clam'ps being adapted to stretch the brim portion of abat.

' 23., In hatmachinery, in combinatiomsupporting-means, a plurality oi clamps pivotally connectedto said supporting means, said means including an actuating. part-adapted to' move the Jews of said clamps into clamped relationship,

means for moving said ,clamp's outwardly, link means forming a connection between said actuating part and said second-mentioned means whereby the clamped relationship of said jaws is maintained as said clamps move outwardly, said clampsbeing adapted to clamp and stretch the brim portion of a bat, lever means'operable to actuate said actuating part and said second-mentioned means, and means for predetermining the extent of "swing of said lever means.

' 24. In hat machinery, in combination, supporting means, a plurality of clamps pivotally connected to said supporting means, said means including an actuating part adapted to move'the jawsof said clamps into clamped relationship,

means for, moving said clamps outwardly, link means forming a connection between said actuating part and said second-mentioned means whereclamps'being adapted to stretch the brim portion of a bat, and means for stretching the crown portion of said bat.

25. In hat machinery, in combination, a pair of relatively movable supports, a pair of clamp jaws pivotally comiected to said supports and to each other whereby upon movement of one of said supports said jaws clamp together to secure the brim portion of a bat therebetween, means for pivoting said jaws as a unit to stretch said brim portion, and means operatively related to said last-mentioned means for changing the position of one of said supports as said unit is pivoted whereby the .clamped relation of said jaws remains substantially unchanged.

26. In hat machinery,.in combination, a pair of relatively movable supports, a pair of clamp jaws pivotally connected to said supports and to each other whereby upon movement of one of said supports said jaws clamp together to secure the brim portion of a bat therebetween, means for pivoting said jaws as a unit to stretch said brim portion, means operatively related to said last-mentioned means for changing the position of one of said supports as said unit is pivoted whereby the clamped relation of said jaws remains substantially unchanged, and means for stretching the crown portion of said bat.

27. In hat machinery, in combination, a fixed support, a movable support, a clamp jaw pivotally connected tosaid fixed support, a clamp jaw pivotally connected to said movable support and to said first-mentioned clamp jaw, means for moving said movable support to bring said jaws into clamped relationship to grasp the brim of a bat,

means for pivoting said jaws as a unit to stretch ally connected to said fixed support, a clamp; jaw pivotally connected to said movable support moving said movable support to bring said'jaws into clamped relationship to grasp the brim of a bat, means forpivoting said jaws as a unit to stretch the brim of said bat, means forming a mechanical connection, between said last-menand to said first-mentioned clamp jaw, means for tioned means andsaid movable support whereby the pressure exerted by said jaws on said bat brim portion of a bat, means for moving said" jaws as a unit outwardly to stretch said brim portion, said means being mechanically connected to said movable support whereby said jaws exert a substantially constant pressure on said brim portion as they move outwardly.

30. In hat machinery, in combination, a fixed about the brim portion of a. bat, means for moving said jaws as a unit outwardly to stretch said brim portion, and means forming an operative connection between said last-mentioned means and said movable support whereby said movable support moves toward said fixed support as said unit moves outwardly therebyto maintain a sub-' stantially constant clamping pressure of said jaws on said brim portion. I

JOSEPH T. LEE. 

